"MARBOLD FARMSTEAD SEEKS DONORS FOR WINDOWS” Greenview, Illinois, December 2, 2019 The Marbold Farmstead Association is currently rebuilding the conservatory on the south side of the house. There are 24 windows and one door to be re-installed in the conservatory, to complete the restoration process for this grand addition. The association is looking for 25 donors to commit $500 per window or door. One can donate via the website: www.historic-marbold-farmstead.org, using the “Donate” button or by mailing a check to HMFA, P.O. Box 438, Greenview, IL, 62642, stating “for window restoration.” The Marbold Farmstead Association is proud to have four generous donors who’ve provided funds for the reconstruction of the conservatory. However, due to the increased costs since our first estimate and adding interior work to be completed, we lack funds needed for the windows and door. Therefore, we are seeking an additional 25 donors to complete the restoration of the conservatory, restoring it to its former glory. Conservatories were uncommon in the late 1800s, especially on a farm! H.H. Marbold built his wife, Margaret, a conservatory when he renovated the house in 1880. At the same time, he raised the roofline of the house, added an impressive porch, electricity, plumbing & a boiler house, improvements for both visual appeal and daily living. The Marbold residence was unlike any other in the area. Over many years of abandonment, the Marbold farmstead went into a major decline. The outbuildings and home deteriorated. On March 27, 2012 the Marbold Farmstead Association purchased the property and began work to restore and rebuild. Some of our accomplishments have been to rebuild and restore the wash house and diary room, the smokehouse, carriage house and summer kitchen, re-roof the icehouse, re-shingle the entire house, restore and repaint the dormers, soffits and corbels, masonry work and much more. Until now, no funds were available to rebuild the conservatory. The association’s mission and goal are to create a living history farm south of Greenview, 20 miles north of Springfield, alongside Route 29. The farm was established in 1850 by German immigrant, John H. Marbold. The farm began with 200 acres and by the late 1880s grew to over 4,000 acres with the help of his son, H. H. Marbold. The Marbold family sponsored immigrants to America, employing them on the farm, where over time they could purchase their own farms and livelihood. The farmstead was unlike any other farm. It was transformed by the Industrial Revolution using the latest technology as it arrived in the period. The farmstead’s story will demonstrate farming and farm life as it pertained to men, women and children of the day, which is so unfamiliar to today’s generation. The farmstead has a story to tell and the association is willing to do just that. We encourage your support and help as we raise the final amount needed to complete the one-of-a-kind conservatory on the south façade. Won’t you help?! The conservatory – early 1900.
Conservatory early 1900
Work in progress 12/05/2019
THANK YOU to the Jacksonville Courier and State Journal Register for covering activities at Marbold Farmstead. We appreciate your support. Here are links to their latest the articles.